Hermeneutics: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

This book is more about the hermeneutic philosophy developed in continental Europe during the 19th and 20th centuries, a philosophy that attempts to understand understanding. This book is less about the historical practice and development of hermeneutics before the 19th century.Hermeneutics is about interpretation, the attempt to determine meaning in order to understand. The key insight of the hermeneutic philosophy is that meaning is contextual. We understand by intergrating parts or facts into a more cohesive, meaningful whole or context.The second and third chapters of the book give a historical overview of the development of the hermeneutics philosophy. The second shows how ideas from Schleiermacher, Dilthey, Husserl, and Heidegger each contributed. The third chapter is all about Gadamer bringing these ideas together and giving the definitive statement to the hermeneutic philosophy in his 1960 book "Truth and Method."Having explained the hermeneutic philosophy historically, the last four chapters of the book look at literature, theology, law, and science in the light of this philosophy. The author tries to show that looking at texts or data in all four areas is inherently hermeneutical. These chapters are good and insightful, but could have all used more historical context, particularly on developments prior to 1800. The interpretation of sacred and legal texts, the origins of hermeneutics as an activity or method, has a rich history which is not even hinted at here. With regard to the interpretation of sacred texts for example, there is no mention of Philo of Alexandria or Spinoza.There is little discussion of hermeneutics as a concrete method, nor of its history prior to the 1800s, prior to the hermeneutic philosophy. There is also no mention of analogues between ideas in the hermeneutic philosophy and cognitive science. For example, the hermeneutic circle could be seen as something akin to the "bottom-up" and "top down" processes talked about in cognitive psychology. However, the book does provide a well-written, excellent introduction to hermeneutics as a philosophy, and for that I'd recommend it!!

Very useful, this is the second time I purchased a book in this series ( A very short introduction). This book is useful to get a topical survey of hermeneutics, The Zimmermann makes import point after point, no wasted space. These kind of books are useful for creating innovation because one can quickly survey a topic and consider its usefulness in one's own research. If there is a connection then the references and further reading section directs you toward the depths. Personally. I had heard of hermeneutics but wasn't so familiar. This turned out to be the thing I was looking for. So much so that I believe it should be taught at the 6th to 8th standard of education. Every human should learn the philosophy and methods of interpretation and meaning. Unfortunately Hermeneutics classes only show up in College and Universities. Looking back it would have been nice in those teenage years to understand why I am studying what I am studying.

A very clear look at a difficult subject. The author seems well acquainted with the prominent thinkers on the subject, but has his own take on hermeneutics. If the other books in this series are as good, I'll be ordering more of them.

This is a well-written, lucid and fascinating introduction to a complex and important subject. Zimmerman did a great job, and I benefited significantly from the book.

After finishing a few books on hermeneutics I believe this one is THE best introduction to hermeneutics. This will provide a useful starting point for anyone who wants to know about the subject.

This is an informative, clear, and concise summary of hermeneutics. Moreover, I would also recommend it as the best introduction to the philosophy of Martin Heidegger, who is so important to the subject that he might as well be a subtitle to the book. I wish there had been a chapter on psychology (Freud's most famous book is called The Interpretation of Dreams, after all), but considering the scope of a Very Short Introduction I still think this is worth five stars. (I read the kindle edition.)

I thought the book laid out a good introduction to hermeneutics and helped give me a fresh perspective, because hermeneutics is a good balance between the rationalist line of thinking and the cultural relativism of reconstructionism, and now I see the value of all three ideologies.